Meet our coaches! They are passionate about the sport of orienteering and running, and they love to share their skills and enthusiasm with the kids. Our coaches have diverse backgrounds and experiences, they are knowledgeable about map reading, navigation, terrain interpretation and safety. They design and deliver fun and challenging activities that help students and families improve their fitness, agility, self-confidence and independence. Learn more about our coaches below!

Dorothy Penner – Program Director / Head Coach

As the Program Director for the EOOC Schools Program and Kids Run Wild, Dorothy Penner introduces students and families to the fun and challenge of the Sport of Orienteering. She is also an active board member for the Alberta Orienteering Association, the provincial sport organization for orienteering in Alberta. Dorothy started orienteering in 2006 and has been a Kids Run Wild coach since 2011. She took over as the Schools and Kids Run Wild program lead in 2015 and has been instrumental in growing the programs and reaching more participants.

In 2023, Dorothy was honoured with the Outdoor Play Canada Practice Award, which recognizes and celebrates individuals/groups/organizations for sustained commitment to quality practice and program delivery that promotes and/or facilitates outdoor play. This award reflects Dorothy’s passion and dedication to providing outdoor play opportunities for participants through the sport of orienteering.

Dorothy has facilitated disaster management training and coached ice skating programs, which have enhanced her abilities as a leader and a mentor. Dorothy is also a plant scientist and co-owner of Ural Farms, a berry farm and agritourism destination in Woodlands County. She enjoys hosting guests in her cozy pioneer wagons and sharing her passion for sustainable and regenerative farming.

Elizabeth Hutsenko – Assistant Coach

A passionate runner and orienteer, Elizabeth Hutsenko joined EOOC and Kids Run Wild as a coach and facilitator in June 2023. She has a background in Tourism and Recreation, with a focus on Active Recreation. She also has experience in competing at the national level in orienteering, as a former member of the Ukrainian National School and Junior National Orienteering Teams. Elizabeth moved to Canada in October 2022 and enjoys exploring new places and trails.

Elizabeth runs the Skills and Stamina for Orienteering (SSO) series, where participants work on orienteering and stamina skills. Elizabeth is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and Polish and is excited to utilize her language skills to expand orienteering to families that speak these languages and make orienteering more accessible & inclusive.